MATCHDAY RECAP: Norwich win ugly to move 10 points clear at the summit

Connor Southwell

Published: 5:45 PM February 23, 2021 Updated: 9:24 PM February 23, 2021

Teemu Pukki of Norwich scores his sides 2nd goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at St Andrews, Birmingham Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd +44 7904 640267 23/02/2021 - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

Sometimes in football, you have to win ugly, regardless of the ae of your preferred brand of football. That's what Norwich City did to gain three points against Birmingham - and you can recap all the action, analysis and reaction from our Canaries correspondents through our matchday blog.

Teemu Pukki continued his rich vein of goalscoring form to add another two to his tally, making it six goals in his last four matches for Norwich. Ollie Skipp's first professional goal made the scoreline more convincing in stoppage time.

Birmingham made the league leaders work hard for their victory and were the dominant force in stages of the fixture. The Blues eventually ran out of steam, allowing the Canaries to grow into the game before they snatched three points to move 10 points clear at the top of the Championship.

Pukki atoned for his missed spot-kick during the first-half, with Ivan Sanchez equalising before the interval for the hosts.

It is the first time since the 2002/03 season that the Canaries have faced two different sides at the same ground in the league, when they visited Selhurst Park twice to play Crystal Palace and Wimbledon.

The pressure on Blues boss Aitor Karanka was eased after a crucial 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Mario Vrancic's late strike at Carrow Road ensured Farke's side recorded all three points back in October. The Canaries' boss revealed after the game that Karanka had apologised for the overly defensive approach his side adopted on the night.